Why Doesn’t My Shower Work?

Why Doesn't My Shower Work? | Frozen Riser Pipe Probably! "A shower can stop working if the water pipes in the wall freeze solid. A polar vortex causes bitter cold air to drop down into the wall." Tim Carter - Founder, askthebuilder.com Did your shower work yesterday? Are you experiencing a polar vortex shot of […]

Footing Width and Depth

"A footing is just like the foot on your leg. It spreads out the weight of the building onto the soil. Bigger is better!" Tim Carter - Founder | AsktheBuilder.com Footing Width and Depth - Do Both Right to Avoid #FAILURE Footing width and depth are very important. A footing spreads out the weight of […]

Footing Depth Below Grade

"The footing depth below grade is determined by two things: when you encounter strong soil and making sure you're below the local frost depth in your area." Tim Carter - Founder | AsktheBuilder.com Footing Depth Below Grade - Two Factors Control the Depth The footing depth of your garage, house, or building depends on where […]

Shed Repair Tips

DEAR TIM: I’ve got a quaint outdoor shed that I’ve neglected. The wood at the bottom is rotting and the shingles must be replaced. I need it more than ever and recently discovered it’s not to code in my county. I want to repair it and improve it but I’m told the shed has to […]

Footing Detail

Footing Detail - Concrete + Steel + Great Soil A footing is quite possibly the most important detail in construction. A footing is what contacts the earth or soil and it distributes the total load, or weight of the building, so it doesn't sink into the ground. What are the Details of a Footing? A […]

DXV Fitzgerald Sink Remodel

DXV Fitzgerald Sink - A New Sink Perfect for Restoration Work Here's the DXV Fitzgerald sink after it was installed. Look below to see how incredible the transformation was. This magnificent period sink was perfect for the ongoing restoration of an early 1900s Craftsman house in southern California owned by one of my best friends. […]